Punjab Kings have struggled in the IPL so far while having the strongest of coaching staffs & team members in the past. They haven-t won an IPL title till yet and the worth scenario is that they haven-t even reached the playoff since 2014. The management has made a number of changes in the coaching staff & squad but nothing has changed in the past 6 seasons. They would certainly wish to end this drought by winning IPL 2021 season.
Further, they have shown faith in Anil Kumble and retained him as the director of cricket. The management certainly hopes that they reach the playoff and win the title from there on.
So, let us see the strongest Playing XI for Punjab Kings that can start in IPL 2021.
Openers In the last season, the pair of Mayank Agarwal & KL Rahul did quite well for the franchise and the management is likely to not make any changes when it comes to the opening combination. In IPL 2020, Rahul was the orange cap holder having scored 670 runs while Mayank scored 424 runs which helped him to earn the maiden call up for the T20I for India. Currently, Mayank is out of the T20I squad of India but if he does well in this season of IPL, he can press his chance of selection.
Middle Order Chris Gayle is currently batting at number 3 for West Indies and he is likely to bat at the same order for Punjab Kings. Another middle order slot is confirmed to be taken by Nicolas Pooran. Further, Mandeep Singh is likely to partner alongside Nicolas Pooran. Moreover, Dawid Malan is another strong contender to bat in the middle order but he may have to sit for couples of matches as only four foreign players are allowed in the team. But, if Malan does well in the remaining T20I against India, then he is likely to become an automatic selection.
All Rounder Punjab kings is blessed with a number of all-rounders in the team. So, for the overseas allrounder slot Moises Henriques would be competing alongside Chris Jordan while for the second slot Jalaj Saxena and Deepak Hooda would have a tussle. Bowlers
Jhye Richadson who bagged 14 crore this season would lead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami. Arshdeep Singh had a decent IPL season and he is likely to be the third seamer in the team. The last slot would be picked by the leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi.